Selectman Brian Murray won a fourth term in yesterday's town election overwhelmingly defeating challenger Mark Wassarman.

Murray earned 2,292 votes to political newcomer Wassarman's 1,243, and last night thanked all the supporters who believed in him as the most qualified candidate to lead the town in tough times.

"That's tremendously gratifying," he said at Town Hall, wearing jeans, a shirt that said "Brian Murray Selectman," and a backwards Red Sox baseball cap during a live election results show broadcast on local cable access Channel 8.

Murray celebrated afterwards at his Congress Terrace home with family and friends, while Wassarman gathered with his supporters at the Portuguese Club.

"I'm very disappointed about the loss. People made their choice," said Wassarman, a local businessman who made his first run for political office.

During the campaign, Wassarman promised to cut the town's spending and lower property taxes, while Murray emphasized the need to maintain the integrity of the budget and preserve town services.

Last night, Wassarman thanked those who voted for him, and vowed to not give up, saying he plans to make another bid for selectman.

"Next opening, I'm running," he said.

During his after-election party, Murray received a congratulatory call at home just before 10 p.m. from Wassarman.

Earlier, at Town Hall, Murray talked about prevailing over campaign attacks and "a lot of innuendo, a lot of negative comments, a lot of untruths."

"I'm under no illusion as to what this campaign was about," he told Al Correia and Emilio Diotalevi, who hosted the results show on Channel 8, as he speculated political opponents of his were behind Wassarman's run.

Murray thanked his wife, Emily, their three children, his mother, friends and others who supported him.

"It's the people who believe in me, and they're the one who've carried me to victory," Murray said.

Wassarman said he was thankful for the support he received.

"I just didn't get enough people to come out (to vote for me)," he said.

Voters also decided contests for constable and library trustee.

For two seats on the library board, voters chose incumbent John Byrnes, who received 1,738 votes, and newcomer Rory D'Alessandro, who earned 1,102.

"It felt like winning the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, the World Series," Byrnes said at Town Hall after learning he was re-elected.

D'Alessandro, 19, a longtime library volunteer, was also excited.

"I'm feeling ecstatic. I'm very honored to be on the board especially being so young. I'm glad to see that I have a chance to make a difference," he said.

Page 2 of 2 - The two edged out hopefuls Shannon Vinton-Delmore, who received 1,012 votes, and Cheryl Butler, who earned 963.

Butler, who was also at Town Hall, said she plans to run again next year.

Also, Michael Diorio was elected to an open seat on the Milford Housing Authority and incumbent Marilyn Lovell and newcomer Scott Vecchiolla were supported for the Vernon Grove Cemetery board of trustees.